One of the best perks ofAmerican Express Platinum CardandThe Business Platinum Card from American Expressis access to Centurion Lounges. These lounges are for the most part significantly better than whats offered by US airlines, as the lounges have complimentary cocktails, hot food, and a couple of them even have spas.
Continue reading: Now Open: Amex’s New DFW Centurion Lounge
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
How would you frequent flyers compare oneworld lounges compared to Centurion and Star Alliance Lounges in terms of overall quality/experience?
Just my humble opinion, but I don't see how you can say that the Centurion Lounge is one of the best perks AMEX provides. These lounges are packed, regardless of the locations and to date AMEX has failed to figure out how to control it. I have walked out of several due to no seats, ravenous occupants who act like they have not eaten in a week and standing with a plate seems a bit much. Like you I have found quiet spaces in the terminal a much better option.
They are indeed beautiful, but your pics show them empty which is never close to the case. I don't have an answer to the crowding and have empathy for AMEX trying to figure it out. They are faced with a number of options, none of them particularly good and all will upset card holders.
I have to agree with Mike. In theory, the lounges are a cool and glamorous perk, but in theory, the lounges are so over crowded, it actually makes the AMEX brand look bad. I was in the MIA lounge on Sunday night and it was SO packed I couldn't even get a drink at the bar! I barely found a seat. The spa did look cool but I didn't have time to check it out. I hope AMEX finds a way to fix this problem, it's very unfortunate. I don't think the way to fix it is to decrease the number of guests card holders can bring in (annoying if you are paying so much and can't even bring your travel companions/family in) - maybe the answer is to open more lounges but we all know airport space is a premium so that probably isn't realistic. I hope they are hiring expensive consultants to help them figure out solution to this problem 😛
Sometimes Centurions are busy, but most of that depends on your travel time. Hit it in the domestic morning rush or the most common international departure time and yes, it will be busy. To Jyoti's point, if you hit Miami on a Sunday night when a bunch of people are flying out to Europe, it's likely to be busy. So are the premium international lounges at that time - it's MIA airport rush hour.
I've also sat at the MIA and DFW Centurion lounges and been one of 10-15 people for for multiple hours. It really depends when you fly.
I still think they're by far the best domestic lounge and a perk I really enjoy.
It's about time, DFW's lounge has been dilapidated and in a sad state for the past couple of years.
@BobNL Hard to say since lounge quality will vary from location to location, even if it's from the same airline/alliance/etc. In terms of lounges at DFW, I'd say this has to be one of the best ones
One thing I loved about the old DFW Centurion lounge was the massive windows and natural light. Unfortunately this new one looks to be at ground level and loses those aspects. One positive aspect I'm hoping for is that the food quality will go back up. In my opinion, it seemed that the food started great and then slipped into dry, unhealthy, overcooked crap.
As for the crowding issues - I agree that it is hit or miss, but I would wager that most of the people visiting these lounges are business travelers and thus not really capable of getting an odd flight time when there is less crowding. My personal opinion is that during peak operations (to be defined by AMEX) admittance should be limited to +1 guest. It's frustrating to get on the elevator to the MIA Centurion lounge behind 6 other people and see that they're all guests of 2 different parties being admitted into an already very crowded lounge.
Something I just thought of - possibly a reservation system for the lounge? Log onto the AMEX app day of flight (or week of flight?) and reserve a spot to control capacity? No admittance allowed without a reservation, and reservations will be limited after a certain capacity is hit.
Amex should just remove all guesting privileges. Only the card holder should get access.
Arrived DFW at 7pm and it was open. It was a “good” level of busy—not too empty, not too busy. The food was decent, and, as usual, the drinks were pretty solid. Definitely bigger than the old one, but not sure if it is big enough to alleviate the crowding at busy times.
Wow, lots of whiners here. Every time I pass through DFW the Centurion Lounge is busy, but never so packed I can't find someplace to sit. The food is great, not dry or overcooked in any way. Nothing is worn of "dilapidated". It's quite clean. It's an excellent perk. I mean Amex really doesn't have to do this. People here seem to be bringing their sad mental state with them to the lounge and thus see everything through those lenses. Their reviews here say more about their internal state when traveling then anything. Passing through DFW in a few weeks and looking forward to seeing the new lounge! Thanks Ben.
So, I had travel plans take me through DFW today and I thought I would stop by the lounge. I am a frequently traveler through DFW and I used the old lounge quite a bit. Glad to see this new version finally open. The space is great, although I agree with an earlier poster about the "views" from the lounge. Not very exciting.
One interesting fact today, there was a limit to guests accessing the lounge. Your flight had to be within three hours or you would not be admitted in. One of the agents here that I have gotten to know indicated that they have been cracking down on people just showing up with the maximum number of guest just for the free food and booze.
We will see how this get enforced, but I think I like it. Having frequented this lounge for years, I can't tell you how frustrating it is that there are TONS of people just munching on the free food and liquor with several guests in tow, leaving the seating areas trashed and then giving the stinky eye to staff when they get upset.
Stay tuned...
Yes, they only admit people within 3 hours of departure. I was just turned away. After a 14hrs flight from HK, this is very upsetting. At least they should allow people transferring enter the lounge without time limit.
I enjoyed their Centurion lounge in Houston. But their lounge in Hong Kong was a big disappointment. Tiny and limited selections of food. At least the wifi was decent speeds.